The effects of high pressure treatment on the structural and digestive properties of myoglobin

The effects of high pressure treatment (100-400 MPa for 20 min) on the structural and digestive properties of myoglobin were investigated by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, intrinsic and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulation. High pressure treatment induced the exposure of aromatic residues and changed the interaction between heme and globin, which in turn increased the gastrointestinal digestibility of myoglobin. Molecular dynamics simulation indicated that the hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bonds of the myoglobin-pepsin complex were weakened after high pressure treatment, but the dipolar interaction was strengthened. The findings revealed the mechanisms on high pressure-induced increase in digestibility of myoglobin.